Let's Talk about Death (over Dinner)

For readers of Being Mortal and When Breath Becomes Air, the acclaimed founder of Death over Dinner offers a practical, inspiring guide to life’s most difficult yet important conversation

Of the many critical conversations we will all have throughout our lifetime, few are as important as the ones discussing death–and not just the practical considerations, such as DNRs and wills, but what we fear, what we hope, and how we want to be remembered. Yet few of these conversations are actually happening. Inspired by his experience with his own father and countless stories from others who regret not having these conversations, Michael Hebb cofounded Death Over Dinner–an organization that encourages people to pull up a chair, break bread, and really talk about the one thing we all have in common. Death Over Dinner has been one of the most effective end-of-life awareness campaigns to date; in just three years, it has provided the framework and inspiration for more than a hundred thousand dinners focused on having these end-of-life conversations. As Arianna Huffington said, “We are such a fast-food culture, I love the idea of making the dinner last for hours. These are the conversations that will help us to evolve.”

Let’s Talk About Death (over Dinner) offers keen practical advice on how to have these same conversations–not just at the dinner table, but anywhere. There’s no one right way to talk about death, but Hebb shares time- and dinner- tested prompts to use as conversation starters, ranging from the spiritual to the practical, from analytical to downright funny and surprising. By transforming the most difficult conversations into an opportunity, they become celebratory and meaningful–ways that not only can change the way we die, but the way we live.

Edition: Unabridged

Michael Hebb is the founder of Death Over Dinner, a Partner at global wellbeing organization RoundGlass and the founder of Convivium, a creative agency that specializes in the ability to shift culture through the use of thoughtful food and discourse-based gatherings. Convivium has worked closely with thought/cultural leaders and many foundations/institutions including: The World Economic Forum, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, X Prize Foundation, FEED Foundation, TED, TEDMED, Apple, United Nations Foundation and The Nature Conservancy.

Michael’s writings have appeared in GQ, Food and Wine, Food Arts, ARCADE, Seattle Magazine and City Arts.

5 Ways to Talk About Death (over Dinner)Few people are discussing death, yet it’s among the most important conversations of our lives. Here are prompts to help you get started—at the dinner table or anywhere else.What would you eat for your last meal?Asking our loved ones about their wishes for their final meal can be a safe way to introduce the conversation about end-of-life wishes.Do you believe in an afterlife?Many of us have encountered stories about near-death experiences or connections between those who are living and those who have passed. Let's turn toward these moments; it will allow for a sense of wonder.What songs would you want played at your funeral?Few aspects of life touch us as deeply as music. It may be a song that can bring together all of what we are.If you could extend your life, how many years would you add? Twenty, fifty, one hundred, forever?Life is designed to be lived. As our technology continues to advance, our ideas about longevity have begun to shift.What do you want your legacy to be?There are an infinite number of ways to leave a mark on the world. Are you living as you would wish to be remembered?Let's Talk About Death (over Dinner) by Michael HebbThere’s no one right way to talk about death, but in Let's Talk About Death (over Dinner), author Michael Hebb shares time- and dinner- tested prompts to use as conversation starters, ranging from the spiritual to the practical, from analytical to downright funny and surprising. By transforming the most difficult conversations into an opportunity, they become celebratory and meaningful—ways that not only can change the way we die, but the way we live.

Praise

“Death, is a topic we so often avoid—yet it’s one we need to discuss. With wisdom and grace, Michael Hebb shows us how to have the essential conversations we dread, fear—or just don’t know how to have. These conversations, like this book, are expansive, filled with hope, and make us more courageous, connected and honest.”

—Esther Perel, New York Times bestselling author of Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs

“Wise, poignant, compelling – Hebb tackles hard issues with honesty and good taste. This book is food for the soul.”

—Ira Byock, MD, author of Dying Well and The Best Care Possible

“We are such a fast-food culture, I love the idea of making the dinner last for hours. These are the conversations that will help us to evolve.”

—Arianna Huffington

“Michael Hebb is a natural storyteller: Authentic, vulnerable, and with the skill to draw an audience into an utterly unique and vibrant idea that has gathered international attention and acclaim.”